The German Greens criticised the decision of their European Parliament colleagues to let the Mercosur trade agreement be examined again by the European Court of Justice.
“During a time like this it is crucial that the EU forms alliances with countries that share an interest in rules and reliable cooperation” said Katharina Dröge, co‑chair of the Greens in the Bundestag, to Handelsblatt on Friday. “Collaboration with the Mercosur states is especially relevant now. For this reason geopolitically supporting the agreement is necessary”.
Co‑fraktionsleader Britta Haßelmann also expressed discontent. “The world has become more uncertain. That is why we need good, reliable partners and rule‑based cooperation” she told the Süddeutsche Zeitung. “Given the significance, yesterday’s vote sent a bad signal. That is why it is even more important that the agreement is brought into provisional application swiftly”.
Co‑party leader Felix Banaszak echoed this sentiment. “I am not happy with the outcome” he told Handelsblatt. “The vote does not convey the signal of European strength that I had hoped for”. He added that the fact that Greens and right‑wing populists together secured the majority does not indicate a wall of defence, but it does warrant a discussion about how to position ourselves against far‑right forces. “I regret that such a vote produced this result. But the situation in the European Parliament is different, and I can only hope that all Democrats-including us-see it as a prompt to talk about how we collaborate and how we maintain distance from far‑right forces”.
Last year the Greens had criticised a “wall‑of‑defence” in the case of an AfD‑backed asylum rights motion, which Banaszak claims was a different affair. “Friedrich Merz knew that he had secured a majority with the AfD and accepted it, saying ‘I don’t care anymore.’ In the European Parliament it is often unclear how majorities will form because parties do not vote in unison” he said. “The day before, European and French conservatives, who sit with the CDU/CSU in the group, also voted for it. The final outcome is not always clear”.
He added that the European Greens had previously attempted to find a solution with the European People’s Party and its chairman Manfred Weber. “Our group has repeatedly offered talks with Manfred Weber” he said. “In recent weeks and months he deliberately sought majorities with far‑right extremists, refused to engage and said ‘eat or die.'”
Franziska Brantner, Greens co‑chair, called the vote a mistake. “Is the agreement perfect? No” she told Süddeutsche Zeitung. “But it is good. I am proud that climate protection has been firmly anchored in it after long negotiations, better than in any other deal. If you want something perfect at a national level, it will be nationalist. Those who want multilateral agreements must accept compromises”.
Baden‑Württemberg’s Green Minister‑President Winfried Kretschmann also denounced the decision. “I cannot understand why such a crucial agreement is being delayed at a time when a united Europe and free trade are more important than ever” he told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. “The decision sends a fatal message of inaction, especially for future essential trade agreements, such as the current one with India”. He emphasized the significance of the Mercosur pact for his state. “Baden‑Württemberg thrives on open markets, reliable partnerships and a strong Europe. In a time of global uncertainty we must protect these foundations. The Mercosur agreement is a useful building block for safeguarding our industry, our middle class and many jobs”.
Erik Marquardt, chairman of the German Greens delegation in the EU Parliament, reflected critically on Monday’s vote. “It was a mistake that this vote found such a majority” he told Der Spiegel. “Conservatives have been seeking majorities with far‑right extremists rather than negotiating with the Greens. We must learn from this; it must not happen again. What happened today should not have happened”. He now advocates for the agreement. “I can say that the German Greens will not only support provisional application, but will also largely vote for ratification”.
In total, eight of the twelve German Green MEPs voted to have the Mercosur trade agreement reviewed again by the European Court of Justice.